I've had a bit of a search on here but haven't found anything that looks quite what I'm after. My friend who had one of my puppies 9 years ago is having another, however when they had the last one her husband was alive and did all the searching for forms and told me exactly what I needed to get signed and when and by whom. Sadly he has passed away since and my friend can't find the folder of documents. She says that they don't need anything in particular to fly in as long as it's before 12 weeks, which it will be. I'm going to go over for a visit and take the puppy with me in the cabin, and we have found a couple of airlines who allow this and I think we can find the information about booking the puppy on the flight and the carry case required and so on. But I'd be grateful if someone could tell me what else I need to do as regards registering with our KC, microchipping, vet checks, export pedigrees and so on, particularly with regards to the timeframe. The puppy will be landing in Dallas Fort Worth and then we will drive to Louisiana where my friend lives. The puppy is 4 weeks old today and I intend to fly out with her at 11.5 weeks.

Obviously it was a long time ago now, but when we flew our hounds from the UK to Canada all they needed was a Health Certificate (done within a certain time of them flying) and their Export papers from the KC so they could be registered with the Canadian KC.   I opted not to have rabies done until we arrived, not wanting to cause any more stress than necessary.   The puppy will have to be microchipped, by you as the breeder at around 8 weeks (?) in any case.

However, you do realise how long the flight will be?   My friend who lives nearly Dallas FW, and is British, comes back regularly to visit her mother and flies internally to NY and on to London and in reverse when she goes back, obviously.   I'd not imagine having a puppy especially, in the cabin would be viable!   For obvious reasons, much as it may be of more comfort for him to be there.    Others don't agree, but I'd not fly a puppy, again especially not long-haul, at under 4 months either.   But perhaps that has to do with my sensitive breed.

My UK - Canada imports were 5 months and 7 months respectively when coming to me out there from the UK and another I took (flying on the same flight) to new owners from London to Geneva - he was over 4 months, and had to travel in the hold.

Yes thanks I've flown out to them several times. When they bought the first puppy from me they came over to me and then flew back with him in the cabin at about 11 weeks, they said it was no problem and he slept nearly the whole time. The stewards and stewardesses all fell in love with him and even put down paper for him in the loo so he could stretch his legs and have a wee, which I know isn't allowed so I wouldn't count on it. I'd be very panicky about flying her in the hold where I couldn't make sure she was ok for temperature etc.

She would be okay in the hold which is pressurised and heated, although perhaps not to the same level as in the cabin - for me that's to the good!!  Again I'd not fly a puppy long-haul especially, at under 4 months.   But again that's just me.

Having been delayed on my return trip  from JFK,  I was so glad my girl was not small enough to travel in cabin,  and was comfortably in her roomy varikennel at a comfortable temperature for the dog.  In the cabin it was uncomfortably warm,  for me let alone a dog.

I was advised by someone that when boarding to wait to be seated until crew confirm that dog is aboard and heating etc checked to be working by Captain.  This has worked well,  and the girls travelled well.

As for puppies all those I have exported at 9 - 15 weeks all travelled well,  as at an age where they mostly sleep,  and least likely to be upset if they have to soul the crate.  Interesting fly all arrived clean,  including the two that flew to Australia.

So I would prefer to fly young pups or adults,  not older pups at sensitive stages.

> <br />I was advised by someone that when boarding to wait to be seated until crew confirm that dog is aboard and heating etc checked to be working by Captain.

   This takes me back to when I first flew out to Canada from London, Heathrow - with one of our then two hounds (the other being unwell and having to wait back with his breeder) - to join my husband who had gone out a week before.   As I boarded, after seeing my lad off into the bowels of Heathrow in his crate, I asked the stewardess whether my dog was on board yet ..  stupid I know but.   She smiled but said 'I don't have the faintest idea, sorry'.   At that point I almost got off again!!   To the point we landed and he was brought into the arrival lounge, I didn't know whether I'd left him behind!!!   Ghastly.   He was absolutely fine.

Having heard of a dog being left off a flight and also heating not being put on a flight with animals on board I make sure they find out and refuse to move from the entrance of the plane until it was confirmed on all the times I have flown with mine.

You lot are not reassuring me that it would be ok if I can't find an in-cabin option! I'll have to sit down properly over the next week and do some proper research.

I don't believe that dogs can go in the cabin when going in and out of the UK.  you may find option is to fly if you can find an airline to fly in the cabin from a European airport.

> You lot are not reassuring me that it would be ok if I can't find an in-cabin option! <img class="fsm fsm_eek" src="/images/epx.png" title="eek" alt="" /> I'll have to sit down properly over the next week and do some proper research.

Not at all!!!    We have flown our hounds (not the same ones!!), over the years, both ways across the Atlantic - UK to Canada and in the opposite direction (plus the one I flew to Geneva with from London Gatwick).   In EVERY case they were in the hold, and in every case, they arrived safely and in good condition.   But as said before, none who went on the long haul flights was under 5 months, and the one who went with me from London to Geneva, 4 months.

Tip - whether it made that much difference but we used the airline of destination - eg. Air Canada to Canada, and British Airways from Canada as it seemed they were more likely to clear customs faster (paperwork).

You can go in cabin going OUT OF THE UK.  It's down to airline policy.

Well you could 9 years ago, but we're struggling to manage it going Heathrow to DFW. Going to investigate United tomorrow, my friend says she can get to Houston and St Louis as well.